Expenses row hit Parliament 'like WW2 bombing'

John Bercow likened the damage of the expenses scandal to that of a WW2 bombing

Commons Speaker John Bercow tonight compared the damage to Parliament caused by the expenses scandal to that inflicted by Nazi bombers in the Second World War.

Making an apology to the public on behalf of MPs, he said excessive and dishonest claims had wreaked "reputational carnage" on Westminster.

He emphasised that MPs had to do more to regain public trust - a strong hint that he is determined to slap down grandees who are standing in the way of sweeping reforms and the paying back of over-the-top claims.

"I cannot think of a single year in the recent history of Parliament when more damage has been done to it than this year, with the possible exception of when Nazi bombs fell on the chamber in 1941," Mr Bercow told a lecture audience in Westminster.

"The difference is that the physical wreckage then was done by dictators, whereas responsibility for the reputational carnage inflicted this year lies with the House."